[jared41]

Been lurking here for a couple years, finally decided to post my build on here. I have had the pickup since 2010, and used it for a daily driver while I was in college, and did some mild mods to it. I have never lived at a house with a shop or garage so the process has been slow.

I ran it stock height with 33x12.50R15 Maxxis Bighorns, they rubbed pretty good haha

Did a spool locker in the rear, and welded the front differential. In this setup I could tag along with built rigs in the snow, and was a pretty cheap way to wheel.

Once I graduated college I was able to afford doing the mods I wanted. In my years lurking I decided I wanted to have 36'' Iroks with 5:29's and a single 4:7 case, and eventually move onto a dual transer case setup.

SAS came out ok for my first time. I should have moved the front shackle mounts forward. I was pretty dissappointed when my front shackle angle came out so bad. I don't think the springs are completely broken in yet though.

Progress pics

https://imgur.com/a/rpKJV

Eaton Beadlocks

https://imgur.com/a/TZkOc

Recent progress

https://imgur.com/a/jpMfQ

More progress

https://imgur.com/a/ny3Dl

Future plans: build a mini flatbed that will hold my spare, a tool box, a cooler and maybe a tote for camping gear. Longfield axles, 5th knuckle stud upgrade, knuckle trusses, finish bumpstops and build bumpers and rock sliders. Pull the 3.0 out and do a 3.4 swap. ISO blown 3.4 if you know anyone!

Current specs:
4'' Trail gear HD springs front 4'' rear
TG SAS kit
Yukon 5:29 gears from Randy's Ring and pinion
Spartan locker front, spool locker rear.
36'' Iroks with Eaton bead locks.
Swapped a 4:7 gear transfer case w/adapter plate for 3.0 tranny.
Trail gear 10'' slip front driveline. Stock rear driveline w/spicer u-joint.
Electric fan on the 3.0, and custom exhaust by D&M in Ellensburg.
Trunnion bearing eliminator kit

 

[dfowlkes]

Your truck will perform much much better if you relocate your front shackles forward 2 or 3 inches! Looks good though! Nice start

 

[jared41]

Your truck will perform much much better if you relocate your front shackles forward 2 or 3 inches! Looks good though! Nice start

Yeah I realize this, it's on the to-do list!

 

[jimmicee]

Can you move your front hanger back? That looks like the problem.

 

[jared41]

Slow progress over the past few months, just been milking the 3.0. HG is gonna go soon, I can smell antifreeze in the exhaust, and it's reaaaall hot even with an electric fan, new water pump, thermostat + rad.

Bought a 1996 3.4l out of an auto 4runner, so the wiring is going to be a pita.

https://imgur.com/a/ny3Dl

Pretty much at this point I just need new motor mounts and then I'm good to start my swap. I'm going to put everything in, and probably hire someone to do the wiring for me. Never been good with that stuff and kinda want it done correctly.

I have a trip planned in May to go to Moab, so I need to build a flatbed for it before then, and relocate my front hanger and my rear hangers to accomodate the flatbed.

My shop just got a new plasma cutter so that will be fun :flipoff2:

Cheers

 

[jared41]

So I've been searching through the sticky on cross member tech, and I couldn't find anyone who was running a 3.0 or a 3.4 with a single case 4.7...

Thinking about springing for a BudBuilt crossmember and notching holes in my frame so I can run necessary bolts, or trimming the stock xmember and adding plate to it. Anybody have any other ideas?

 

[81 shortbed]

I bought some 3/16 plate and built a crossmember similar to the budbuilt. used the stock u-bolts off the front to clamp it to the frame

 

[offset442]

bud built or the like is good temptation, if your a drop ship and bolt on kind of budget i suppose its just fine if you have more $$$>cents I would just build something that matches your personality with a nicec replaceable skid plate bolted to it..........

 

[jared41]

Getting close to dropping the 3.4 in. Too cheap to buy a cross over, so I cut up the 3.slows.

With the hours I put into making this, by the end of it, I recommend to anyone to consider spending the money on offroadsolutions cross over. I have some exhaust wrap for the whole thing to cut down on heat transfer.